UAE coast guard rescues 2 sailors after ship's anchor breaks free

Dubai - The Indian national sailors raised a red flag and contacted the consulate through WhatsApp.

Two Indian seafarers stranded onboard MV Abdallah, a supply and anchor handling vessel owned by Elite Way Marine Services, were rescued by the UAE Coast Guard after the ship's anchor broke due to bad weather on Wednesday afternoon.
Consulate-General of India officials informed Khaleej Times that the vessel lost its anchor due to bad weather on Wednesday at 9am, and drifted for 17 hours before being taxied to safety the next day (Thursday) at 12.30am. The Indian sailors, Captain Xavier Robinson Fernando and Chintu Dilleswara Rao, an oiler on-board the ship alerted the consulate through WhatsApp messages and phone calls.
The consulate immediately reached out to the Federal Transport Authority (FTA), which then alerted the Coast Guard. In a matter of hours, the vessel was found, the sailors were rescued, and taken to safety to Port Rashid. The men were provided with food and other necessary supplies by port officials, and more supplies will be provided on Sunday.
"We drifted for 15 miles at 60-65kmph wind speed. It was very scary. Luckily, it moved parallel to the shore and not close to it. We were saved by the Coast Guard," Captain Xavier told Khaleej Times. The 66.5 metre-long vessel is now berthed at Port Rashid.
Fernando has been stranded onboard MV Abdallah for 33 months and salaries have been unpaid for 23 months. Co-sailor Rao has been on board for 18 months and has not been paid for 16 months. "We've been in anchorage for 33 months. There are no operations and now only the consulate provides us with provisions. My company is not helping me at all," he added.
Meanwhile, a total of 40 sailors are on board eight Elite Way Marie Services vessels that are currently in dispute. "Thirty-one of them are Indian nationals," Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul said. The sailors on board MV Abdullah have not been paid their dues for over 15 months. Another shipping vessel MV Azraqmoiah has 10 sailors on board who have not been paid for 17 months. Vipul stated serious efforts are under way to rescue the men from these ships.
"There are a few ships of Elite Way Marine that are not in good condition. We are in constant touch with them, and by late evening on Wednesday, everything was under control. We are working with the FTA to get their issues resolved, and legal proceedings are under way," said Vipul. The consulate tweeted on Thursday: "We would like to thank @FTAgovae, @DubaiPoliceHQ and UAE Coast Guard for helping the crew of MV Abdulla in rescuing their vessel to Port Rashid after their anchor broke in bad weather yesterday. Consulate requested @FTAgovae for urgent help and that was provided."
"We have also been supplying provisions to some of these ships. However, a final rescue sign-off of all sailors might take a bit of time as the legal process is a bit long. A notary has been assigned to go on board to complete all paperwork," added Vipul.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai